Spaces // Amy Moore

I want to quickly start out by saying I'm sorry for neglecting the blog lately. I haven't shared new work or inspiration in a while because life has been a whirlwind lately! Between moving last week, catching up on work, and visiting family this week, I've put the blog on the back burner, but things should be moving smoothly soon and I'll share things I've been working on soon! BUT -- I'd like to introduce Amy Moore as this week's Spaces feature! Amy is a Graphic Designer and Artist based in Seattle. She also runs the blog, Strataflora! Enjoy!

Tell us about yourself as a creative.
Hi there!  I'm Amy Moore, and I'm a graphic designer + artist, living in Seattle, WA.  Since I was a child, I've always known I was made to create things and express myself through a visual medium - I love the work I do, and I've been lucky to meet some amazing people along the way.  I'm always dreaming and scheming...I live for the next creative project I can take on! 

Describe your creative journey.
Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who enrolled me in every extracurricular activity you can think of, and the arts were what I really thrived on!  I started winning awards for drawings in elementary school - which are probably hilarious to look at now - and got a little monetary reward for a Father's day portrait contest I did that was published in the newspaper (it was SO exciting at the time).  That sealed the deal!  In high school, I helped direct and paint a mural on a wall in the school...I stayed after school with the teacher's kids to help them do crafts.  Definitely an art nerd, haha. 

My mom is a total inspiration to me; she is a regular Martha Stewart - she made the drapes in our home, draws, paints, cooks - she does it all, and I have her to thank for my creative genes.  She and I started getting into scrapbooking when I was around 14...that definitely was influential in my becoming a graphic designer.  Coming up with creative layouts and arranging photos with captions and other little details on the page was magical for me!  It probably was also the beginning of the magazine and paper ephemera hoarding.  I ended up going to college for graphic design, and my career is continuing to unfold.  I'm working as a Marketing/Art Director right now, and moving towards becoming a full-time freelance designer in the next few years.  I can't wait to see where life takes me, and I have a feeling I'll rack up a few other titles along the way.  I'm a bit of a magpie!

Share a little bit about your space.
My space is in a little corner of the one bedroom apartment that I share with my boyfriend - so it's constantly evolving as we add furniture or move things around.  I'd love to be able to fit my easel in there, but to avoid having a drop cloth on the floor constantly, it's in the kitchen.  I love my desk, which I just acquired this year - I feel like it really helped pull everything together.  The Wassily -inspired chair is from Craigslist - a lucky find for $30!  Since I'm a visual creature, I'm regularly rotating out art, prints and little pieces of inspiration. I do a variety of work - graphic design, illustration, painting, and most recently I've gotten into book-binding!  So I need to be able to get to all my supplies, most of which are kept in the files boxes along the bottom of that white Ikea bookshelf, which also acts as a divider between my "studio" and our living room. I'm a total neat-freak AND totally ADD, so I try to keep things pared down, especially since the space is small.  If there is a lot of clutter, I get really distracted!

What's your favorite thing about your space?
Hmmm...probably a tie (is that allowed?!) between my desk and my collections of art/trinkets/books.  The desk really unified the whole area, and it's big enough for me to spread out my work on.  The art + ephemera I have hanging around the place inspires me, as do my books.  I am a bit of a collector, so being able to always see my treasures lifts my spirits.  Plants used to be more of a fixture when I lived in California, because we got so much natural light in our place - it's a different story in Seattle; I've managed to hang onto a couple of dark dwellers...I wish I could have more! One thing I'd love to change is the wall color, but since we aren't sure if we'll be staying in this apartment, I haven't committed to painting the walls...yet.

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space? 
I think inspiration is probably the most important factor, although functionality matters too!  Being a creative requires you to be ever-evolving, always thinking forward and staying fresh + inspired...having a space that nurtures/promotes your creativity is absolutely essential.  So whatever form of inspiration makes you happiest, you should have it surrounding you!  I've quickly learned the importance of ergonomics in the past couple of years too; working a full-time job, and then coming home to do freelance work at night means a ton of hours in front of a screen and in a chair.  My back, neck and eyes have totally felt the wear - a comfy and functional workspace are HUGE!  Your body will thank you. :)

Thanks Amy!

Photos by Amy Moore

Website | Blog | Twitter

Spaces // Laura Coggins

I'm sorry for the delay on this week's Spaces feature, we moved up to Los Angeles this weekend and between moving and having some internet issues, I'm running a bit behind in my week! But yet again, I'm happy to share with you, the workspace of graphic designer, Laura Coggins. I love Laura's eye for design and she's got a perfect space for her work. She's also a mom and (literally) about to have another  little one - so like many creatives, her space is shared with other aspects of her life, but it still perfectly fits her needs and style. Enjoy!

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

Hello…I'm Laura Coggins, full-time freelance graphic designer and mommy living in Saint Louis. I absolutely love what I do and so thankful that I am able to work from home. I have a baby + kids blog called Little Frills.

Describe your creative journey.

I take after my mom. She is incredible. I thank her for my creative brains. I was the one that always won the coloring contests when I was little. And in high school I got picked to design all the club t-shirts and sports programs. During college I was super into photography, still am, but I got a little off track when I discovered graphic design. I was a double major for a while, but became addicted. I just looked at everything around me with so much more attention. For my thesis project I produced a fashion show to educate the public what it graphic design was all about. I screen-printed fabric and handmade several garments to showcase what I learned. Right after I graduated, I got my first job at a promotional agency working on premium liquor brands, gaining all the experience in the world. Became obsessed with blogging. My brain was ready to explode with ideas being around so many talented people. After four years and a baby later…change happened. Now, I am so happy I get to spend my days and nights (and nap-times) designing for my own awesome clients.

Share a little bit about your space.

My teeny tiny space is a mix of some new, mostly vintage ephemera that inspires me. My desk and chair are both antique steals. Still a work in progress. The room is a three-in-one…a nursery, workspace, and closet. We have outgrown our home because our family keeps growing! I am pretty limited on storage space for all of my design books, paper collection and art supplies. And, as much as I love my wardrobe…it is a foot away from my desk. Planning on getting a lovely chalkboard painted door for it so I can keep track of my schedule and todos. 

What's your favorite thing about your space?

I love the different textures and random colors, they are like happy accidents to me. I think it adds character to my small workspace. I am just glad to have a little place for me, even though you might catch me working from the couch or putting my trusty xacto to work at the kitchen island!

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

I think every creative space needs a pop of color. As much as I love all white spaces (like my last workspace) I have tried to incorporate more color here and there. It makes me smile and gets my creative juices going. 

Photos by Laura Coggins

Thanks Laura!

Website | Blog | Twitter | Dribbble

Watercolor Maps

A while back I posted these Pretty Maps designed by Stamen Design, well they've done it again with these watercolored interactive maps. You can go to the watercolor option of the OpenStreetMap and search any area in the world and see it as if someone has hand painted your city! Pretty.

Kelly Thorn

How gorgeous are these spreads illustrated by Kelly Thorn for a book, "Froggy Went a-Courtin?" I love the use of the white ink on the first spread for her "lace" - so perfectly detailed and beautiful.

See more spreads and close ups here.

Spaces // Kelly Ann Mount

This week's Spaces features an all around creative (even dance - see below!), and graphic designer / photographer, Kelly Ann Mount of The Flowerchild Dwelling. Like many other features, her workspace reflects her work and her style, so perfectly eclectic and vintage - it's very much a flowerchild dwelling. Check it out!

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

I'm a graphic designer, sometimes-photographer, former dancer, film school graduate, and music enthusiast from sunny California. (phew!) I'm expressive, enthusiastic, and eclectic - and I love, love, love what I do. I'm a big dreamer with a long list of things that I want to do and experience in this life. 

Describe your creative journey.

I'm pretty sure it all started the moment I could hold a paint brush and wear tap shoes. My childhood was filled to the brim with everything creative - and I expressed myself through a wide variety of mediums. I was a serious dancer and a cast member for children's television from the time I was very little through my teen years. Whether it be through clothing (I used to change my outfit at least 3 times a day), collaging my walls, making home movies, or singing to my neighbors from my balcony at age 4 - I was all about expressing, creating, and performing. Being a film major in college was perfect for me, it was incredibly hands on and I still dream of working in film one day. My college years also brought a newfound love for graphic design, and I dove in head first. Mostly self-taught, I started working on design projects for my University's Associated Student Body, as well as my own projects on the side. After I graduated, I decided to make it a real job, and I haven't looked back. I started blogging years ago and it has brought me complete joy - I had no idea it would be such a huge and exciting part of my journey.

Share a little bit about your space.

It's in the beginning stages! I don't really have a budget for decorating, so I really just utilize what I have. It's an eclectic jumble of thrift finds, family heirlooms, and pieces that were given to me. A family friend runs an antique business, so I receive random pieces from her all the time that are really amazing. (Like the giant metal piece above my desk) I think so far, this space already has character and I can't wait to full make it my own. I've never been one to be matchy-matchy, I really love random colors, patterns, and furniture pieces thrown together. I need a space that is cozy, peaceful, and interesting. I also get ready for the day in this room, and I think being surrounded by my favorite accessories inspires me to create. 

What's your favorite thing about your space?

My record collection is pretty sacred to me. :) I also really love my comfy armchair... it was a $30 thrift find - a total steal. I would love to have it reupholstered someday - but it's in great condition and it keeps my back so happy during long hours of working at my computer. I'm currently restoring a vintage blue velvet loveseat and I think it'll make the room even cozier - it will probably become my most favorite piece when it's finished!

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

I think having some sort of inspiration board or wall is really important - a place where you can throw together a bunch of rad/awesome/lovely/cool things. I'm an extremely visual person (as I'm sure all creatives are!) and it's so nice to look up from my desk and see gorgeous photos and sweet notes from friends - it's encouraging and motivating. Each photo, painting, card, or lovely thing you pin on a wall has some sort of meaning to you - however small - and that brings such joy and comfort to your space. I also think changing things up is important for creatives. I get bored and can become unmotivated when my workspace stays the same for too long. I'm constantly moving things around! By just moving one piece of furniture to the other side of a room or adding some plants and flowers, I can instantly refresh my surroundings.

Thanks Kelly!

Be sure to check out The Flowerchild Dwelling, where Kelly curates the best things - including perfectly thought out weekly music and music mixes!

The Flowerchild Dwelling | @hellokellyann

Elisa Strozyk

I've been itching to do some more work like Folded. Whether that be just using my hands more or making something meticulous. I've shared Elisa Strozyk's work before but I wanted to share her Paperweaves piece. It's so beautifully light and airy, plus anything made in detail with paper, and I'm hooked!

Have a  Happy Easter!

Spaces // Cassie Pyle

One thing I'm learning from this Spaces series, is the amazing workspaces everyone has! Each space reflecting it's owner. This week, Cassie Pyle of The Veda House is giving us a peak into her beautiful little workspace. Cassie's blog never fails to impress with her perfecly curated posts on interiors and design and her own spaces reflects just that.

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

I'm a graphic design and web designer with a passion for simplicity. Currently I'm working as a digital art director at an advertising agency in St.Louis. When I come home at night you'll find me at the computer working on my latest freelance project or blogging my heart out. I'm also an amateur photographer and vintage etsy shop owner , so you could say my free time is filled with lots of fun things to do. As time goes on, I hope to grow my freelance design business to a point where I can freelance full-time...someday...

Describe your creative journey.

I feel like I've always been considered a creative person. I remember being a kid and constantly creating collages from magazine scraps and doodling with sidewalk chalk. Once I got to college, I discovered that I could make a career out of being a creative, which launched me into an intensive 4-year design program where I gradated with a degree in Graphic Design. Right after college I moved into the advertising agency where I currently work and I've been learning the ins and outs of our advertising and promotions world ever since. About 1.5 years ago I started blogging full time as place to share the things that were inspiring me. Around that same time, I decided to share my love for vintage/thrifted goods and that's when I opened my Etsy shop. I feel like I'm still figuring out what I REALLY want to do "when I grow up", so time will only tell. 

Share a little bit about your space.

My space is a constant work in progress, but it's coming together nicely. Did I mention that it's pretty tiny? My little corner of the loft (the area I consider my workspace) is only about 6" by 6", but the tall ceilings help out a lot. Everything in the space has been either hand-made or hunted down at antique shops. The light that hangs above my computer was pieced together with found objects, the petite desk was found in an old warehouse filled with mid-century treasures, the chair in the basement of an antique shop, and the storage unit was won at a local auction. I try to keep the space clutter free, so only my favorite knick-knacks are kept outside of the storage unit.

What's your favorite thing about your space?

I'd have to say my favorite item would be the desk. In my opinion it's a show stopper and I hunted and hunted for that piece for months. I wasn't willing to setting on any desk, and once I found the right piece, the rest of the space starting to come together. The walnut wood tone, black and silver details set the tone for the remaining pieces in the space. I'd also like to consider this desk one of my first "grown up" pieces of furniture since I broke the bank when I wouldn't settle for anything less.

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

I think every creative needs a space that feels own-able and lived in. For me, the process of piecing the space together over time with found objects added depth to the space and made it feel like a work of art in itself. All the time searching for the right pieces makes me feel proud of it and the time spent in it, completely enjoyable. You need a space that makes you feel a little giddy inside.

Thanks Cassie!

The Veda House | Twitter | Portfolio | Etsy

Photos by Cassie